Tub cushion and lining



Patented Dec. 2, 1941 U N ITE D STATES PTENY T O F F IEE TUB CUSHION AND LININ G Benjamin B. Levine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application August 5, 194i), Serial No" 351,510

Claims.

This invention relates to tub cushions and particularly to a combination cushion and lining.

One object of this invention is to provide a resilient and comfortable seat and back rest for use by a bather in a tub.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a plurality of sectionalized joined cushion elements to permit folding, and a side wall lining joined to the cushions and provided with suitable supporting means for holding the lining against the side Walls of the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide an individual, sanitary and comfortable cushion and lining for a bath tub for the use of old and feeble persons for whom hot water baths are beneficial.

One modification of a combination cushion and lining is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the tub and a cushion lining illustrating the disposition of the lining in the tube and its general construction;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the tub and the lining in place with portions of the seating cushions broken away to show the disposition of the air valve stems for the corresponding cushions;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lining showing the disposition of the re-inforcing border at the upper edge of the lining and the vacuum cups for securing the border to the tub;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view showing the disposition of the lining and the border at the faucet of the tub;

Figure 5 is a sectional View of a cushion element in which cotton, mohair or other similar resilient compressible material is employed in the cushion instead of air as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a similar View of a cushion in which spongy or blown rubber is used; and Figure 7 is a side View, partially in section and partially in elevation, of the drain and the plug of the lining.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the combination cushion and lining Il) rests on the base and against the side walls of the tub II. The bottom portion of the lining consists of three inflatable cushions I2, I3, and I4, and two similar back rest cushions I5 and I6. All of the cushions are joined lengthwise of the lining by exible rubber strips I'I to permit the cushions to be readily folded when they are deated so that the entire lining may be compactly folded and laid away.

Each cushion is formed to embody several communicating pockets, so the cushion will lie flat when blown up with air. Each cushion is 55 rnally,

also provided with a small air valve I8 at a corner of the cushion where it will be out of the Way and not come in contact with the body of a bather. The side wall or apron of the lining II) is joined to the side edges of the cushions and extends around the tub to establish a relatively close fit with the tub. The upper edge of the lining apron I0 is provided with a re-inforcing rubber strip I9 upon which vacuum cups 2| are mounted 'at regularly spaced distances, to hold the lining to the tub.

The lining is secured to the side edges of the cushions and above the air valves I8 in such manner that the cushions and side wall lining will hold all of the water of the bath.

At the faucet the lining is provided with slots 22 and 23 to permit the lining to be disposed around the connecting pipes 24 and 25 of the faucet.

In order to empty the water from the lining after use, the lining is provided with a drain 21 which is closed during use by a plug and flap 28. The drain of the lining is disposed to extend into or to communicate with the tub drain so that the water may be readily emptied into the tub drain after use.

Although I have illustrated an inatable cushion to be the preferred form because it can be deflated to occupy less space and to permit easy folding, the cushions may also be of mattress type with cotton or mohair filling as illustrated in Figure 5.

My invention is not limited to the specific details that are illustrated, but may be variously modified with the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. An article of manufacture constituting a tub lining and comprising a plurality of inatable rubber cushion elements flexibly joined to permit ready folding and serving as a seat in the tub, a flexible side wall lining connected to the cushion elements `and having a re-inforcing border, and a plurality of spaced suction cups on the border of the side wall lining for supporting the lining on the walls of the tub.

2. A tub lining consisting of a plurality of rubber cushion elements flexibly joined longitudinally, a side apron of rubber eXibly joined to the sides of the cushions, and means for supporting the apron against the side walls of the tub.

3. A tub lining consisting of a plurality of rubber cushion elements iiexibly joined longitudia side apron of rubber iiexibly joined to the apron for supporting the apron against the side 10 the tub.

Walls of the tub.

5. A tub lining consisting of a plurality of rubber cushion elements flexibly joined longitudinally, a side apron of rubber exibly joined to the sides of the cushions, and having a re-inforcing border along its upper edge, a plurality of vaeuum cups secured to the upper edge of the apron for supporting the apron against the side walls of the tub, and an outlet positioned to fit into the drain of a tub when the lining is in position in BENJAMIN B. LEVINE. 

